key: cord-0957385-pt81eza7
authors: Antonello, Vicente Sperb; Panzenhagen, Alana Castro; Balanzá-Martínez, Vicent; Shansis, Flávio Milman
title: Virtual meetings and social isolation in COVID-19 times: transposable barriers
date: 2020-10-08
journal: Trends in psychiatry and psychotherapy
DOI: 10.1590/2237-6089-2020-0065
sha: fc7858d53998d3ba747e37c40977fb83807de4d6
doc_id: 957385
cord_uid: pt81eza7

nan

unprecedented crisis, affecting a total of 213 countries and territories around the world. 3 Additionally, the public is stunned by news that generate fear and anxiety, and may result in psychological dysregulations, e.g., stress-related disorders. 4 The recommendation of social distancing measures aims at diminishing the disease spread and preventing the chain of viral transmission. Notwithstanding, there is an incentive to social connection through virtual media within families and communities. 3 So, can virtual groups go from villains to problem-solvers?

Virtual groups can, indeed, help reduce the experience of social isolation, thereby bringing a sense of empathy and comfort to individuals, especially for vulnerable individuals in COVID-19 times (Table 1) . For instance, all over the world, children and adolescents are currently confined to their homes. Massive efforts are being made by teachers at schools and universities to create online courses and deliver them through TV broadcasts and the internet. In the event of home confinement, interaction could be enhanced via digital platforms, children could be involved in family activities, and self-sufficiency skills could be improved. 4, 5 Since the elderly represent the main risk group for the clinical complications of COVID-19, many countries have mandated older adults to self-isolate for a very long time. This initiative is expected to disproportionately affect elderly individuals whose only social contact occurs in places other than homes, such as at daycare venues, as well as community and 

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